Category: 02 – VCCCDRA News

Please read important letter below from Susan Bricker, President, VCCCDRA

Dear Colleagues,

Both CalPERS and CalSTRS have reported that their members’ data – our data – may have been compromised in a data breach that targeted the system of a company they both use to help identify members’ deaths. We want to share with you what we know thus far based on the information posted to the CalPERS and CalSTRS websites, notifications from CalRTA and CSR.

The first thing you need to know is that the CalPERS and CalSTRS systems were not directly breached, and there is no impact on our retirement payments or the myCalPERS and myCalSTRS accounts you may have set up in their websites.  Both of our retirement systems use secure transfer protocols to transfer data to third party vendor PBI Research Services/Berwyn Group. The weakness that allowed the breach was in PBI’s transfer protocols.

That does not mean, however, that your data was not impacted. We already know of two retirees on the Executive Board whose data was compromised, one from CalSTRS and one from CalPRS.  The data in the transfer files includes first and last name, date of birth and social security number.

Each of the retirement systems will offer credit monitoring services to impacted members. CalPERS members will be eligible for two years of credit monitoring and identity restoration services.  CalSTRS has not identified their credit monitoring service on the website but full information will be included in the letters sent to impacted members.

CalPERS has already mailed letters to all affected members, who should receive them by this Friday, June 30.  CalSTRS is mailing letters to all affected members this week, which should be received by July 23.

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO:

First make sure that your contact information is current with your retirement system! Log in to your myCalPERS or myCalSTRS account and select “Update your contact information”.  CalSTRS members by also call the Member Service Center at 1-800-228-5453.  CalPERS members may call the general number at 1-888-225-7377.

CalSTRS Members:

Check the CalSTRS (calstrs.com) and CalRTA (calrta.org) websites for the most current information on the breach. CalRTA indicated in their notice to members that CalSTRS plans to set up a special phone number for Breach questions.  The line is not active yet as far as I can tell, but should be in the near future.  You may also contact the Member Service Center number 1-800-228-5453 for information.

CalPERS Members:

Email questions to PBIquestions@calpers.ca.gov or call Experian at 1-833-919-4735.  You may also check the CalPERS (calpers.ca.gov) and CSR (calretirees.org) websites for the most current information.

We will continue to inform members of updates to this situation by posting to the BLOG.

Susan Bricker, President
Ventura County Community College District Retirees Association

This posting of the Executive Board will be accessible thru the * Executive Board PAGE, found on the right side panel of the BLOG, below the ARCHIVES listing.

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The Executive Board (Exec Board) is responsible for the general supervision and administration of the affairs of the Association and makes recommendations to the Association.  The Exec Board consists of all elected officers: president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer, the At-Large Representatives, standing committee chairpersons, newsletter editor, the immediate past president, and other positions as deemed necessary by the president.

Elected Officers:
President: Susan Bricker (elected for a 2 year term beginning July 1, 2022)
Immediate Past President: Diane Moore
Vice-President: Kathy Scott (elected for 2 year term beginning July 1, 2023)
Secretary: Marie Soo Hoo  (elected for a 2 year term beginning July 1, 2022)
Treasurer: David Magallanes (elected for a 2 year term beginning July 1, 2022)

Standing Committees:
Chair of Benefits Committee:  Harry Culotta
Chair of Educational Issuesl Committee: Larry Manson
Chair of Membership Committee: Joy Kobayashi
Chair of the Scholarship Committee:Carolyn Dorrance
Chair of Technology Committee: Carmen Guerrero

At-Large Representatives (3):
Marta Freixas  (appointed for a 2 year term beginning July 1, 2022)
Joan Smith  (appointed for a 2 year term beginning July 1, 2022)
Rene G. Rodriguez (appointed for a 2 year term beginning July 1. 2022)

Other:
Advocacy Task Force: Chair, Diane Moore; Co-Chair, Dr. Judith Gerhart
Newsletter Editor: Sandy Hajas
vcccdra.org Webmaster: Rene G. Rodriguez
vcccdra.org Web Editor: Carmen Guerrero
blog.vcccdra.org Blogmaster: Carmen Guerrero

ALERT FOR VCCCDRA MEMBERS:

VCCCDRA has learned of  imposter emails that appear to come from VCCCDRA board members preying on the kindness of the recipient by asking a simple question, “Can you do me a favor.”  The 2 minute video, linked below, discusses this recent spike and how you can avoid being a victim.  Please use the link below from AARP:

REGARDING THE VCCCDRA ZOOM MEETING ON CALPERS LONG TERM CARE

THE ZOOM MEETING THAT THE VCCCDRA CONTEMPLATED HAVING TO DISCUSS THE CALPERS LONG TERM CARE OPTIONS WILL NOT TAKE PLACE.  WE HAVE ESSENTIALLY RUN OUT OF TIME.  WE JUST NOW, THIS WEEK, RECEIVED THE LETTER FROM CALPERS SPELLING OUT THE OPTIONS, AND THE FORMS HAVE TO BE RETURNED TO ST PAUL, MN BY AUGUST 26 IF YOU DECIDE ON AN OPTION OTHER THAN WHAT YOU HAVE NOW.  IF YOU WANT TO KEEP WHAT YOU HAVE NOW, YOU NEED NOT TAKE ANY ACTION.  THE PLAN CHANGE WILL TAKE EFFECT ON NOVEMBER 1, 2021.

HICAP (see below) FROM THE VENTURA COUNTY AREA AGENCY ON AGING RECOMMENDED AGAINST HAVING SUCH A ZOOM MEETING BECAUSE OF LIABILITY RISKS FOR THE VCCCDRA.  ANY RETIREE WALKING AWAY FROM SUCH A MEETING THINKING THAT THE VCCCDRA WAS RECOMMENDING ANY PARTICULAR COURSE OF ACTION COULD HOLD THE VCCCDRA RESPONSIBLE.

HICAP DID RECOMMEND INVITING SOMEONE FROM THE CALPERS LONG TERM CARE PROGRAM TO COME TO SUCH A ZOOM MEETING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE OPTIONS, WHICH DIANE MOORE DID, BUT THEY REFUSED THE INVITATION.

FOR THOSE OF US ON THE CALPERS LONG TERM CARE PROGRAM, THIS IS A HIGHLY PERSONAL DECISION THAT EACH ONE OF OUR FAMILIES WILL HAVE TO MAKE.  HICAP RECOMMENDED THAT I INFORM RETIREES TO FEEL FREE TO CALL HICAP (see below) TO MAKE A COUNSELING APPOINTMENT REGARDING LONG TERM CARE QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.  IT MAY BE WORTH YOUR TIME TO CALL HICAP TO SEE IF THEY CAN ANSWER SOME OF THE QUESTIONS YOU HAVE RELATED TO THE OPTIONS THAT CALPERS IS PROPOSING.  RETIREES WHO DO NOT LIVE IN VENTURA COUNTY I’M SURE CAN ALSO CALL HICAP, OR YOU MAY BE ABLE TO FIND A SIMILAR AGENCY NEAR YOU.

RENE G. RODRIGUEZ

Ventura County Area Agency on Aging

Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), 805-477-7310
The purpose of HICAP is to provide free unbiased counseling and community education on Medicare A, B, C, & D. HICAP completes comparisons on all products of C & D, retiree/employer Group vs. Medicare. HICAP resolves billing issues, and helps apply for appeals.  HICAP’s speaker bureau gives presentations on Medicare 101, Prevention Services, Long Term Care, on all aspects of Medicare products, and on Medicare changes for the new year. HICAP gives advice regarding healthcare insurance options for those contemplating retirement.

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Ventura County Community College District Retirees' Association
www.vcccdra.org
www.blog.vcccdra.org